Scope
Reference
NCCT43288
Description
Norfolk County Council (NCC) has demonstrated national leadership in social investment through its successful implementation of Social Outcomes Partnerships (SOPs). Building on this foundation, the SIGN programme seeks to attract further investment to address complex social challenges.
This strategic framework seeks to support long-term partnerships between funders, investors, outcome payers and Norfolk delivery partners in developing and implementing a wide range of investment projects aligned to UK government policy, NCC strategic objectives and the Norfolk Local Growth Plan. NCC are keen to see partnerships that deliver higher impact for beneficiaries, delivery partners and NCC commissioners.
The Strategic Framework is intended to be inclusive and encourage investment organisations to engage with the development of the SIGN programme and initiate investment into sustainable and replicable projects and programmes of work. This will likely include but not be limited to:
• Investors into outcome-based partnerships
• Asset backed and property-backed investments with an emphasis on the development of new operating models and revenue funded services from those assets
• Investment support to voluntary, community, social enterprise and social purpose organisations and consortia supporting public service transformation
• Investors and grant providers from the philanthropic and corporate sectors seeking to provide grant, repayable grant and low yield flexible debt to support growth and productivity and tackle poverty and exclusion across Norfolk.
The intention is to develop a new form of engagement via the framework between social investment organisations and other funders interested in social impact to work with provider(s) and local commissioners to co-design and co-develop new solutions to challenging local issues. This will be an emergent and evolving piece of work requiring a partner/s to work across a range of stakeholders and investors on investment propositions .
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 85322000 - Community action programme
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
- UKH16 - North and West Norfolk
- UKH17 - Breckland and South Norfolk
Engagement
Engagement deadline
29 January 2026
Engagement process description
Informal market engagement has already taken place with interested parties at the GOLab Social Outcomes Conference 2025, discussing the aims and objectives of the framework agreement and its scope.
Further opportunity to discuss the framework agreement and its aims is available through contacting the commissioner, Graham Phillips. Initial contact can be made by emailing graham.phillips@norfolk.gov.uk.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
2 February 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Norfolk County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDYH-3246-XWTR
County Hall, Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DH
United Kingdom
Email: sourcingteam@norfolk.gov.uk
Region: UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government